Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition has been canceled after being on the air for 18 years, the show announced on Friday. The Punjabi-language sports broadcast expressed that since its inception in 2008, it has brought the community closer to the beloved game. The show was commended for sharing the stories of South Asian players and families, creating a uniquely Canadian sports space.
Rogers Sportsnet, the national NHL games rights-holder, referred to the cancellation as a challenging decision. They acknowledged the significance of the broadcasts to many Punjabi-speaking hockey enthusiasts, despite not meeting sustainable audience levels in the long run.
Commentator Jagraj Lalli, who has been part of the show since last fall, expressed his shock upon learning about the cancellation. He emphasized that the show’s legacy of fostering connections, diversity, and representation in sports will endure. Lalli pledged to uphold the bridge between the Punjabi language, community, and North American sports, ensuring it remains unbroken.
Fans shared their disappointment online over the cancellation, reminiscing about the show’s impact and representation. The last season’s viewership averaged at 1,500 viewers, with over half of the games attracting fewer than 1,000 viewers.
Former show member Bhupinder Singh Hundal reflected on the program’s significance, noting how it provided a platform for Punjabi language, culture, and community on a national scale. This news follows CBC’s decision in June to discontinue broadcasting Hockey Night in Canada after failing to secure a new sublicensing agreement with Sportsnet. Rogers Sports and Media also shut down Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station in July after nearly ten years on the air.